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Southern Charm

Norman Vincent Peale

Change your THOUGHTS and you change your WORLD.

Fine Art America, again

Prints, Posters, and Notecards

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.”

Southern Cook

Daily Paintings

Galatian 5:22

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Heartbeat at my feet

"My little dog... heartbeat at my feet." ~Edith Wharton

Southern Cook

Watermelon Recipes

Job 37:5

“God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding."

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April 2014

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

So I purchased the ingredients to make Pots de Creme, but didn't immediately find the time. This morning, it's Monday, stormy, and the lights could go out at any moment, so it's not condusive to starting a large painting. What better time to try a new recipe?

Pulled together all the ingredients and began separating yolks from whites.

Yolks are used in the recipe. Whites are saved for tomorrow's omlette breakfast. Shells go in the bowl with other organic matter headed to the compost pile. And empty egg carton is saved for Harvest Share or friends with chickens.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

No trip to Natchez, Mississippi, would be complete without a visit to Monmouth Historic Inn built in 1818.

From their website~

John Quitman was Monmouth's most prominent occupant. Arriving in Natchez as a penniless newly minted lawyer, he soon married into one of the area’s most prominent families and went on to a partnership in the town's most successful law firm. During his life, he gained national attention as a conquering general and military hero in the nation's war with Mexico. He also served as governor of the state and in the Mississippi state legislature and the U.S. Congress.

John A. Quitman died at Monmouth on July 17, 1858, apparently a victim of what was then called the National Hotel Disease an ailment similar to Legionnaire's Disease, which many American politicians contracted after staying or dining at the National Hotel in Washington, D.C. Forty-nine year old Eliza, a widow with several underage children, and multiple Monmouth household obligations, assumed stewardship of four plantations and the hundreds of enslaved individuals. This great responsibility, however, was short lived. In 1859, Monmouth's matriarch Eliza Turner Quitman died and was buried next to her husband at Monmouth. Quitman daughters would later move their parents to the city cemetery north of town.

With the coming of the Civil War to Natchez, Monmouth experienced the plight of numerous southern estate villas when their once wealthy owners could no longer afford the trappings of the elite. Over the years after the Civil War, Monmouth continued to fall into terrible disrepair.

Although Monmouth was once a grand estate, embellished with the finest furnishings and landscaped gardens, twentieth-century Monmouth saw not only the decline of the estate and its grounds, but the scattering of many of its prized furnishings. In 1978, the home was purchased and restored to the 1830's period; many pieces found in the house were discovered to be original Quitman pieces. Today, the historic renovation of Monmouth continues.

And no trip to Monmouth is complete without a visit with Roosevelt and an ice cold Mint Julep in a silver cup.

How can you choose a favorite home in and around Natchez, Mississippi? They are all so beautiful and full of intersting history. If I had to choose one that captured my imagination more than the others, it would have to be Longwood.

From the Natchez Pilgrimage website...

This six-story 30,000 square foot mansion was designed by Samuel Sloan of Philadelphia for wealthy planter Haller Nutt and his wife, Julia Williams Nutt, and epitomizes the rise and fall of the South. As it was nearing completion, the Civil War began, and the workmen dropped their tools and went home. Haller died in 1864 and his wife Julia continued to live in the finished first floor that today contains many original family furnishings. The upper five stories are an architectural wonder - a magnificent work in progress where time just stopped and stayed.

This grandest octagonal house in America is a National Historic Landmark.

It stands as a testament that your circumstances in life can change in an instant. The workmen left their aprons hanging on a peg and their tools where they left them, thinking they would return in 2 weeks to complete the job. But we all know the Civil War took much longer, and many men never returned home.

The millioinnaire family that built the home continued farming cotton, the crop that earned them their millions. Only to have their fortune burned by the confederate army before it could be sold, in order to keep it out of the hands of the Yankees.

Within a few years after the Civil War started, Mrs. Nutt was a widow living in the basement of the uncompleted home, selling eggs and taking in odd jobs to feed herself and her children. Speaking foreign languages and playing the piano were part of her formal education, but tending a garden and keeping chickens was the way she supported herself when she had to.

The basement of the home was completed and is completely furnished, however the upper 5 floors remain a time capsule, untouched since the 19th century.

Longwood is owned by the Pilgrimage Garden Club and is available for tours year round.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

While in Natchez I noticed every lawn and garden had a large, semi-sphere, iron kettle. It didn't look like the iron kettles I've seen in Tennessee. Ours look more like they are for cooking over an open fire, as if to hang on a spit. The ones in Natchez were larger, flatter, and didn't have a handle. They were sugar kettles.

Apparently the plantations along the delta region grew their own sugar cane and processed their own sugar.

The method of producing cane sugar in early 19th century was largely derived from the 18th century European sugar colonies in the Caribbean. Each cane plantation had its own sugar house.

The cane was crushed using an animal-powered three-roller mill. The extracted cane juice was heated, clarified, & evaporated in a set of large open kettles (Sugar Kettles) of decreasing size which were enclosed in brickwork over a furnace.

Lime was the substance most often used to clarify the cane juice, and the impurities that rose to the surface were skimmed off. After syrup resulted from the evaporation of the juice, the Sugar maker, using the rule-of-thumb techniques, determined when sugar crystals had formed. This was called a "Strike" and was the point at which the concentrated syrup was turned out into shallow wooden tanks and left to cool.

The cane grinding season, or roulaison, was a festive time on most plantations. Social gatherings, dances, and candy pullings took place after the cane was ground, and visitors to the plantation sugarhouses were often treated to "hot punch," a drink made of partially boiled cane juice and French brandy.

Friday, April 25, 2014

On August 9, 2014, I'm planning to teach a plein air painting class at Lairdland in Cornersville, Tennessee. Lairdland is a beautiful, historic home and Civil War museum owned by Don and Bennita Rouleau.

Don shared with me a wonderful story I had never heard, which reaching for a 150 year old "carpetbag."

“Down on his luck” Albert Otis Tote," Don told me, "was a man strolling past the Nashville, Tennessee, wharves when he noticed riverboat passengers struggling to clutch possessions in their arms. Recognizing a need, the entrepreneural wheels began to turn, and he began sewing cloth travel bags and roamed through the are peddling them from his mule cart."

The newly introduced carpetbag brought further prosperity and railroad travel gained in popularity during the Civil War and the following Reconstruction Era.

Curiously, at a time when his business was flourishing, our Mr. Tote suddenly disappeared from public view. It is unknown what happened to this resourceful Tennessean, but, we do know what happened to his name. In Tennessee, we seldom transport, convey, or carry, but, usually “Tote” our belongings.

We also experienced the dreaded "carpetbagger," a Northerner traveling south with the intention of taking advantage of the disadvantaged in the reconstruction south.

Blessings to all

God has lovingly and generously showered his sweet blessings all around middle Tennessee. I enjoy so much selecting a chosen few to share with you in these photos, recipes, paintings, inspirations and sometimes, completely random thoughts. Thank you for the visit. Come on back again real soon!

"To see the miraculous within the ordinary is the mark of highest wisdom." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." ~Abraham Lincoln

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Handbook of Southern Manners

Handbook of Southern MannersIf you are from the South, you probably could have written this book. This link is for everyone else who may be curious.

e.e. cummings

Charm of the Carolines

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

My Precious Furbabies

Lily Belle
Nannie Nutmeg
Max (2008- 4/3/2020)
Love is found in the strangest packages, even disguised as a Cocker Spaniel hobo drifting through the neighborhood. I found Max as a stray on New Year's Day 2016 and have loved and cared for him ever since. Still do. Love you silly boy! Miss you terribly.

Tammy Tabby

Suzie-Q

Suzie-Q is a full-blooded Japanese Chin. She is full of personality and an adorable little snorter with that smooshed nose. While I was out of town another foster kept her and fell in love. Foster Failure! Suzie Q now has a new momma who adores her. Love you sweet pup!
Molly

Molly is a happy girl after spending the day at the Pretty Parlor, AKA Diggin' the Doos in Columbia, TN. She is a Maltese-mix with the sweetest disposition. Molly was adopted today by the sweetest couple who are thrilled to welcome her into their home along with their cat Oblivia. Molly now has her very own momma, daddy, sister-cat and for the first time, her very own bed. Love you sweet girl!
Banner
We located an adopter who couldn't decide between two dogs in a local high-kill shelter, so the rescue decided to pull both of them if I would agree to foster the one not chosen for adoption. Do you have to ask twice? Gladly! Of the Bichon and the Maltipoo, the adopter chose the Bichon. They were both adorable and lovable, but she really didn't have room for two. So I got the Maltipoo. But not for long. Once word got out this beautiful boy was available the adoption applications poured in. The volunteers worked tirelessly to vet the best candidates, and the top three were interviewed by founder of the rescue and by me. Banner's new momma drove several hours from Kentucky to pick up her new baby on Wednesday morning. It was a quick turn-around, and Suzie-Q, my next foster was delivered to my house that afternoon.

Odis

Oh how I love this little boy! Precious Odis is a full-blooded Shih Tzu puppy, about seven months old. I enjoyed fostering him for a few weeks until he was adopted by my dear friend Janet and her family who have given him a loving home and are spoiling him daily.

Mandy

This little girl was found as a stray by a friend in the countryside. She was terrified of cars, so I'm afraid she may have been dumped. She doesn't belong to anyone within miles of where she was found. Luckily a sweet family adopted her and loves her to the moon and back. They describe her as perfect.

Bootsie

Love this sweet, cuddly little beggar. Her family moved away and left her in the neighborhood. She took up residence under my next-door neighbors house and they fed her regularly, but she didn't have vet care or flea treatment. They moved this past weekend, so I contacted Pet Pals of Maury County for assistance. They immediately sent a voucher to a local vet so we could get her checked out, vaccinated, and spayed. I'm happy to report she has been given a clean bill of health and has been adopted.

Little Man Max

This adorable little snuggle pup is a 3lb, 7 year old, altered male Yorkie. He was adopted by a precious, retired couple in Alabama who also adopted a Yorkie from Tennessee River Rescue in Selmer, TN. Along with this fur-sibling, Little Man Max will have a Schnauzer and Schnoodle to play with, along with afternoon golf cart rides around Lake Cullman. I want your life Max!!

Mr. Whiskers

This sweet boy looks like a little, red fox. And he was adopted!!

Honey Noggin'

Honey Noggin' (nee Gypsy) is still available. She is a senior pup with one bottom tooth that protrudes from her underbite so she reminds me of Elvis. Thank ya, Thank ya vury much!

Ebbie

Ebbie is an owner surrendered, 9 year old, female Basset Hound who is pure love in a dog suit and terribly confused. The only life she has ever known was uprooted and she came to live with me. Now a precious, young family has adopted her and they are in love. And their whole neighborhood is in love. That's what happens when there is a Basset about.

Lola and Lonnie

Lonnie and Lola are brother and sister, about 18 months old and simply adorable. They were adopted together. Thank you!!

Charlotte

Yay! My little foster Charlotte found her forever home at the PetSmart Adoption Event with Russell Rescue. She has two young boys to play with and they are already in love.

Brownie Puryear

Brownie found her furever home today! Yay!! Your new Momma has lots of puppy snuggles in her future.

Sadie Elizabeth (nee Bubbles)

This precious baby was my foster and is now my god-puppy. She was adopted by my parents. She was special from the moment my dad laid eyes on her. We are thrilled to welcome her into our family as a member, and not a foster.

Glory B

Looking like the lovechild of Yoda and one of the Grimlins is Glory B (formerly Blackie). She is full of spunk and sass.... all three and a half pounds of her! Glory B was adopted by a sweet, retired couple looking for lap puppy on which to heap all their snuggles and kisses.

Maddie

Maddie was my foster for less than a week. This sweet girl was adopted by my friends Don and Carol who have given her a new fur-sibling as well as a loving home. Don't you just love happy endings?

Junebug

Junebug is a precious, 35lb, young, female, terrier-mix foster adopted in September. Playful, intelligent and loveable. She's now enjoying a family of her own.

Millie Matisse

Millie Matisse, my little foster through Russell Rescue, was adopted by an adorable young lady July 2015. She enjoys a loving home that she shares with her new fur-sibling.

Vienna

Vienna, my little foster through Russell Rescue, was adopted by a sweet family in Murfreesboro, June 2015. She enjoyed love and kisses through her finals days and ventured across the Rainbow Bridge end of August 2015.

Gen. Jubal Lee

A little beggar that came up starved and injured. He's hanging out with me until I can determine if he has a home. If not, he has a minor operation in his future and then will be ready for a loving forever home. Right now he is getting loving care and attention and plenty of kibble.

Ruby

Ruby, a Pet Pals of Maury County foster, now lives with her furever family in Culleoka, TN

Ida Claire
Ida Claire, a Snooty Giggles foster, was my furbaby from 10-31-11 to 7-26-12. She was taken by transport to live with her Fur-ever Family in Massachusetts, 7/26/12. Miss you silly girl!